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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 2/15/2007 - Economic Development Commission . EDC RETREAT McHenry Economic Development Commission February 15,200� � Summary The McHenry EDC held a retreat on February 15, 2007. Fifteen(15)participants were in attendance. SWOT Analvsis Participants broke into three groups and took part in a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)Analysis. The results are indicated below. Note: items followed by a number in parentheses were identified by multiple groups. Stren hs Weaknesses • River(3) . Road system/traffic flow/traffic capacity (3) • Special Events (3) • Three downtown areas (2) • Hospital(3), medical professionals • Lack of public transportation(2) • Rail Service ;3)—commuter • Lack of grocery store on south/west sides (2) • Available lard for development (2) • Gateways into City are lacking(2) • Natural Resources—Parks (2), State Parks • Public swimming pool too small(2) • Recreational opportunities (2) • Downtown Parking(2) • Affordable h��using(2) . Downtown parking visibility • Strong retirement communities/senior . Lack of directional and informational signage population(2) • Lack of peaestrian-ism • Job market opportunities (2) • Pride of ownership of buildings • Location—proximity to Chicago, Milwaukee. . Building facades—eclectic architectural styles Rockford • WW Treatment Plant located in downtown • Proximity to major transportation hubs . No anchors on Riverside Drive (O'Fi�.e, nlitciieil Fiei:;) � No bed and breakiast estabiisrimenw �. • Small town feel . School system reputation • Hometown pride, loyalty to community . Schools—classroom size, financial • Friendly people responsibility, feedback and participation • Strong business commitment to community . Lack of input from school board on • Housing options development issues • Service organizations • High schools • Taxing bodies work together • Lack of participation by Hispanic community • Progressive leadership . Storefront vacancies • Strong Fire Protection District • Isolated shopping areas • Chamber of Commerce • Lack of banquet facility • Retailers-Restaurants—national chains, . Diversity of restaurants Shopping Hub • Lack of family restaurants • Business Parks/Clean Industry • No specialty clothing stores • Strong banking presence . No Super Wal-Mart • Hotels . Overabundance of banks • Riverwalk . Excess of office space • Downtown • Inadequate amount of affordable housing • Population diversity and stability . Lack of community involvement • Low crime rate • Lack of tourism draw • Good financial reserves -City is fiscally sound . City park is too small • Controlled growth • Lack of indoor rec facilities, no rec center • Churches, multiple denominations . Lack of entertainment for teens • Infrastructure . Safety on bike path(Bull Valley Rd./RR �' crossing) 1 : EDC RETREAT McHenry Econ�mic Development Commission February 15,2007 � Results of SWOT Analysis, continued Opportunities Threats • Riverwalk—ability to tie downtown's together • Funding from State, especially roads � Tourism—draw people to City of McHenry • Competition from other towns • Vacant land offers ability to plan and avoid • Growth in other communities past mistakes • Schools—involve.ner_t, perception and luck of • Public boat launch information • Pier parking for boats • Major employers leaving City of McHenry • Metra service increase • Rising housing costs • Marketing • Rising oiUgas costs • Financial incentives for fa�ade improvements • Loss of Metra service • Better utilizing volunteerism • Changing demographics • Complacency � � 2 EDC RETREAT McHenry Economic Development Commission February 15,200� � �sionin;� Participants were asked to come up with a vision statement for the Economic Development Plan. The vision statement is the opening statement and objective of the plan and it provides the foundation for the goals and objectives of the plan. Essentially, it answers the question, "What do we want our community to be in the future?" Several of the responses had similar themes. . 1) Create a vibrant do��nto�vn. 2) Encourage strong economic growth while preserving a sense of community. 3) Maintain a small-town feel while having big city amenities. 4) Create a place you go to feel at home. 5) Encourage growth without additional taxes for services and infrastructure. 6) Attra:,t quality merchants (committed to the community)that attract quality customers. 7) Become a destination. Goals and Obiecrives Participants again broke into groups and were asked to develop some goals and objectives. The following responses were given. Goal: Have a Vibrant Downtown Objectives: 1. Promote Riverwalk via direct mailings 2. Increase Downtown Parking 3. Retain theater � 4. Attra�t quali�v r_;er�h�nt� 5. Create uniform signage 6. Utilize locator kiosks Goal: Encourage a Vibrant Downtown Business District with Unique and Varied Businesses and Limited Number of Vacant Storefronts Objectives: 1. Explore, create, provide and effectively market financial incentives/encouragement to improve and/or maintain building facades 2. Actively pursue an expanded Metra schedule to get more people into the Main Street Business District on daily basis 3. Complete the Riverwalk 4. Utilize signage to promote businesses in the downtown 5. Expand available public parking 6. Attract qualit}�unique retailers 7. Educate the community/businesses regarding the benefits of T�F Goal: Market McHenry as a Great Place to Live, Work& Play Objectives: 1. Advertise good school systems 2. Promote affordable housing 3. Advertise strong work force 4. Market good shopping opportunities 5. Promote tourism � 3 . EDC RETREAT � McHenry Economic Development Commission February I5,200� � Goal: Encourage and Foster Retail Development on the South Side of the Community Objectives: 1. Identify and assemble potential parcels suitable for large retail applications 2. Market locations identified to potential big box anchor retailers 3. Identify potential roadblocks; seek to resolve and eliminate roadblocks Goal: Foster the Ability to Provide the Community's Needs for Large-Scale Meetings, Facilities and Events Objectives: 1. Secure a multi-use meeting and entertainment facility that can accommodate 4G0-500 persons to locate within the City 2. Provide the demographics to show the need for such a facility. Goal: Retention of Existing Commercial Base in the City Objectives: 1. Monthly contact with at risk commercial entities 2. Identify available economic development tools that are palatable to the citizens and Council 3. Utilize the development tools for business retention Goal: Attract and Retain Quality Businesses Goal: Maintain Viability of Smaller Shops/Stores Objectives: 1. Help smaller businesses to become more self-supportive ?. Marketing and advert;sing � Goal: Bring in More Distinctive Type Busiuesses Objectives: 1. Shorten time for City approval 2. Marketing/Preservation 3. Retain existing big box stores Goal: Tourism Objectives: 1. Facilitate process for events for local groups and organizations 2. Parks and fielcis that can be used for CABA or other type of regional/national programs Goal: Work with Schools to Become a Proud,Vibrant Part of our City,Which will Encourage Persons to Live/Stay in Community � 4 `. Jan-p6 �an 07 $130,493.75 $1,348,630 � 9 NPE $q,462,796 $162,99125 $518,331.00 RESIDENTIPJ- 10 6 g5,121,472 �5,�`�5AG SF DETACHED $36,047•50 �203.600 $325 p0 $580,000 7 $33,300 MF NEW � �391.00 10 SF ATYACHED �65,500 �150.00 $p,00 a $43,350 $0 ADDIALT 6 � $�,192.50 MtSC. $0 $0.00 $60,000 $53.00 COMI��RCIA�- 3 $500 � $82,200 $594.00 1 NEW 4 $45.00 $0 ADDIALT � $788.00 NI1SC. $76,650 $50.00 3 INDUS?R�AL g6.�� $415.00 NEW � $5.903 ADDIAI-T 9 �6,850,055 $657,113.25 MiSC. 10 $17,350 $602.70 � SIGNS g2,257,196 $200,9�1.45 41 TOTAL- nD 2006 yTp 2005 TYpE $1,34g,� 5i3o,493.�s � REStDENTiAL ryo c�1,462,796 $162,991.25 9 . SF DETA�HED 6 $5,121,4 55�8,331.OQ MF NEW $580,000 $36,047.50 $203,600 � SS•5"S.00 � $391.00 7 2g.pp SF ATTACHED 8 $65,500 533,300 � ADDIALT $43,350 $180.00 10 6 . MISC. 50 �� COMMERCIAL $p $0.00 � 4�.�0 $1,192 SC NEW � $594.00 3 4 $82,200 a500 S53-OC ADDIALT $Q $45.00 � MISC. � INDUSTRlAL NEW $50.Q0 3 576,650 $78$•� � $6,000 ADD/ALT MISC. $602.70 9 $5,903 $415.00 SIGNS 10 $17,350 �,850,055 5657,113.25 TOTAL 41 $2>257,196 5200,9Q1.45 48 � � •. � NUMBER OF BUILD1�vG PERMITS ISSUED 2002 -2007 SINGLE FAMILY DETATCHED PERMITS YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT �OV DEC TOTAL 2002 10 15 20 13 23 13 15 26 18 27 23 14 217 2003 23 8 22 25 24 13 30 64 28 23 19 12 291 2004 10 15 30 26 19 12 12 22 11 8 5 6 176 2005 7 2 15 13 20 19 25 6 18 12 20 11 168 2006 9 10 10 13 21 12 4 14 11 8 112 2007 10 SINGLE FAMILY ATTATCHED PERMITS (Units) YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL 2002 0 0 4 0 5 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 17 2003 8 5 4 5 4 0 4 11 13 0 21 0 75 2004 0 4 8 4 44 26 10 26 16 8 12 8 166 2005 8 56 16 22 4 4 23 8 S 16 36 4 205 2006 48 0 19 24 20 16 0 4 37 4 172 2007 4 MULTI-FAMILY PERMITS (Units) YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL 2002 0 0 0 0 0 Q 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2004 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2005 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 0 0 0 2006 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2007 0 TOTAL PERMITS YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL 2002 55 70 105 149 165 149 147 167 146 146 116 57 1472 2003 81 62 90 198 194 137 146 185 146 137 86 60 1522 2004 42 49 133 196 179 175 130 137 184 131 66 76 1498 2005 36 62 106 161 159 164 167 135 144 109 102 46 1391 2006 48 52 100 160 167 154 110 131 125 99 0 0 1146 2007 41 jao 2/7/2007